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More than beds and breakfast bagels are available at the expanding Airbnb travel site.

Thirteen enterprising Metro Detroiters are in the vanguard of what a New York Times columnist describes as "people finding joy and income by mining their passions." 


Drag queen bingo is an activity offered by Kevin Heard, board president of the Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

They use the lodging site's new "Experiences" section to pitch activities such as these for visitors and local residents:

  • Socializing at a recording studio with hip-hop producer Nick Speed, who orders food from Steve's Soul Food -- "a real Detroit meal. Some of my friends and other artists will join us so we can eat together and enjoy the evening skyline view as we get to know one another." The same host offers an expanded version with a "dance night on the town."
  • "A taste of Detroit's techno and house scene" with Adriel Thornton, which includes "original stories from and about the folks who played a vital role in the creation of this worldwide genre."'
  • A four-hour night photography tour of Greektown, the Belt Alley, Campus Martius and Coach Insignia atop Renaissance Center, conducted by Asia Hamilton.
  • A three-segment series showcasing "the rebirth of iconic Detroit" with a walking tour, discussions, dinner and brunch. 
  • A "Motor City Rocks" tour over two days with guitarist Kenny Olson, who has played with Kid Rock, Aerosmith, Metallica, Chaka Khan and others. He takes guests by limo to The Majestic, Motor City Casino, Fox Theatre, The Fillmore, Detroit Opera House, Saint Andrews Hall, Motown Museum, Grande Ballroom site, recording studios, Third Man Records and an after-party.

These and other tours, offered separately from Airbnb accommodations, are part of "the latest step in its evolution," Thomas Friedman writes Wednesday in The Times.  

"In Detroit, there is a bountiful history of Motown music and all kinds of artists now creating boutique concerts and tours for visitors to experience it. . . .

To see what’s growing, go to Airbnb’s site and click not on "homes" but on "experiences." You’ll find an endless smorgasbord of people turning their passion into profit and their inner artisan into second careers.

Costs for local experiences start at $40 for a weaving studio visit and demonstration by Levon Kafafian at the Fringe Society Studio on Holden Street, and top out at $375 for rocker Olson's music tour.

Choices also include a ballroom dance lesson, a spoken word/poetry open mic visit and pointers from Natasha "T" Miller, and "Living Out Loud" -- a drag queen bingo night and drinks in Royal Oak with Kevin Terrell Heard, board president of the Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

Offerings here and elsewhere are popular. "Airbnb’s 'experiences' site has grown tenfold this year," columnist Friedman writes.

Here's what a few Detroit visitors post at the site about their guides:

  • "Kenny [Olson] is a wonderful host and a helluva guitar player. I had a great time meeting new people and seeing parts of Detroit I had never seen. I highly recommend this experience!" -- Aimee of Lima, Ohio, July 2017
  • "It was a joy to retrace the steps of Detroit techno's founding members, visit several landmarks and watch their stories come to life. The historical perspective provided by both Adriel [Thornton] and the locations is something you cannot find anywhere else--an experience uniquely Detroit!" -- Alex of Detroit, February 2017 
  • "I had such an incredible time meeting Kevin [Heard] and partying with his friends. He did an incredible job at balancing the fun with thoughtful and intentional conversations about the LGBT community and the great work he has done to support small businesses that are queer-owned. Particularly after the no-boundaries (at all) comedy of Drag-Queen Bingo, we were able to have open conversations about the queer community. I left feeling so much respect for Kevin and, unexpectedly, feeling inspired about what I myself am capable of." -- Katrina from Portland, March 2017